The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
Chapter 437
Dimensional <Xpage=413>
Di*men"sion*al (?) , a. Pertaining to dimension.
Dimensioned <Xpage=413>
Di*men"sioned (?) , a. Having dimensions. [R.]
Dimensionless <Xpage=413>
Di*men"sion*less (?) , a. Without dimensions; having no appreciable or noteworthy extent.
Milton.
Dimensity <Xpage=413>
Di*men"si*ty (?) , n. Dimension. [R.]
Howell.
Dimensive <Xpage=413>
Di*men"sive (?) , a. Without dimensions; marking dimensions or the limits.
Who can draw the soul's dimensive lines? Sir J. Davies.
Dimera <Xpage=413>
Dim"e*ra (?) , n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ part.] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A division of Coleoptera, having two joints to the tarsi. (b) A division of the Hemiptera, including the aphids.
Dimeran <Xpage=413>
Dim"er*an (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the Dimera.
Dimerous <Xpage=413>
Dim"er*ous (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ part.] Composed of, or having, two parts of each kind.
&hand; A dimerous flower has two sepals, two petals, two stamens, and two pistils.
Dimeter <Xpage=413>
Dim"e*ter (?) , a. [L. dimeter , Gr. <?/; <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ measure.] Having two poetical measures or meters. -- n. A verse of two meters.
Dimethyl <Xpage=413>
Di*meth"yl (?) , n. [Pref. di- + methyl .] (Chem.) Ethane; -- sometimes so called because regarded as consisting of two methyl radicals. See Ethane .
Dimetric <Xpage=413>
Di*met"ric (?) , a. [See Dimeter , a. ] (Crystallog.) Same as Tetragonal .
Dana.
Dimication <Xpage=413>
Dim`i*ca"tion (?) , n. [L. dimicatio , fr. dimicare to fight.] A fight; contest. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
Dimidiate <Xpage=413>
Di*mid"i*ate (?) , a. [L. dimidiatus , p. p. of dimidiare to halve, fr. dimidius half. See Demi- .]
1. Divided into two equal parts; reduced to half in shape or form.
2. (Biol.) (a) Consisting of only one half of what the normal condition requires; having the appearance of lacking one half; as, a dimidiate leaf, which has only one side developed . (b) Having the organs of one side, or half, different in function from the corresponding organs on the other side; as, dimidiate hermaphroditism .
Dimidiate <Xpage=413>
Di*mid"i*ate (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dimidiated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Dimidiating .]
1. To divide into two equal parts. [Obs.]
Cockeram.
2. (Her.) To represent the half of; to halve.
Dimidiation <Xpage=413>
Di*mid`i*a"tion (?) , n. [L. dimidiatio .] The act of dimidiating or halving; the state of being dimidiate.
Diminish <Xpage=413>
Di*min"ish (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Diminished (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Diminishing .] [Pref. di- (= L. dis- ) + minish : cf. L. diminuere , F. diminuer , OE. diminuen . See Dis- , and Minish .]
1. To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to augment or increase .
Not diminish , but rather increase, the debt. Barrow.
2. To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.
This doth nothing diminish their opinion. Robynson (More's Utopia).
I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations. Ezek. xxix. 15.
O thou . . . at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads. Milton.
3. (Mus.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh .
4. To take away; to subtract.
Neither shall ye diminish aught from it. Deut. iv. 2.
Diminished column , one whose upper diameter is less than the lower. -- Diminished , ∨ Diminishing , scale , a scale of gradation used in finding the different points for drawing the spiral curve of the volute. Gwilt . -- Diminishing rule (Arch.) , a board cut with a concave edge, for fixing the entasis and curvature of a shaft. -- Diminishing stile (Arch.) , a stile which is narrower in one part than in another, as in many glazed doors.
Syn. -- To decrease; lessen; abate; reduce; contract; curtail; impair; degrade. See Decrease .
Diminish <Xpage=413>
Di*min"ish , v. i. To become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it .
Diminishable <Xpage=413>
Di*min"ish*a*ble (?) , a. Capable of being diminished or lessened.
Diminisher <Xpage=413>
Di*min"ish*er (?) , n. One who, or that which, diminishes anything.
Clerke (1637).
Diminishingly <Xpage=413>
Di*min"ish*ing*ly , adv. In a manner to diminish.
Diminishment <Xpage=413>
Di*min"ish*ment (?) , n. Diminution. [R.]
Cheke.
Diminuendo <Xpage=413>
Di*min`u*en"do (?) , adv. [It., p. pr. of diminuere to diminish.] (Mus.) In a gradually diminishing manner; with abatement of tone; decrescendo; -- expressed on the staff by Dim ., or Dimin ., or the sign.
Diminuent <Xpage=413>
Di*min"u*ent (?) , a. [L. diminuens , p. pr. of diminuere . See Diminish .] Lessening.
Bp. Sanderson.
Diminutal <Xpage=413>
Dim`i*nu"tal (?) , a. Indicating or causing diminution.
Earle.
Diminute <Xpage=413>
Dim"i*nute (?) , a. Small; diminished; diminutive. [Obs.]
Jer. Taylor.
Diminutely <Xpage=413>
Dim"i*nute*ly , adv. Diminutively. [Obs.]
Diminution <Xpage=413>
Dim`i*nu"tion (?) , n. [L. diminutio , or perh. rather deminutio : cf. F. diminution . See Diminish .]
1. The act of diminishing, or of making or becoming less; state of being diminished; reduction in size, quantity, or degree; -- opposed to augmentation or increase .
2. The act of lessening dignity or consideration, or the state of being deprived of dignity; a lowering in estimation; degradation; abasement.
The world's opinion or diminution of me. Eikon Basilike.
Nor thinks it diminution to be ranked In military honor next. Philips.
<page="414"> Page 414
3. (Law) Omission, inaccuracy, or defect in a record.
4. (Mus.) In counterpoint, the imitation of, or reply to, a subject, in notes of half the length or value of those the subject itself.
Syn. -- Decrease; decay; abatement; reduction; deduction; decrement.
Diminutival <Xpage=414>
Di*min`u*ti"val (?) , a. Indicating diminution; diminutive. " Diminutival forms" [of words]. Earle . -- n. A diminutive. Earle .
Diminutive <Xpage=414>
Di*min"u*tive (?) , a. [Cf. L. deminutivus , F. diminutif .]
1. Below the average size; very small; little.
2. Expressing diminution; as, a diminutive word .
3. Tending to diminish. [R.]
Diminutive of liberty. Shaftesbury.
Diminutive <Xpage=414>
Di*min"u*tive , n.
1. Something of very small size or value; an insignificant thing.
Such water flies, diminutives of nature. Shak.
2. (Gram.) A derivative from a noun, denoting a small or a young object of the same kind with that denoted by the primitive; as, gosling , eaglet , lambkin .
Babyisms and dear diminutives . Tennyson.
&hand; The word sometimes denotes a derivative verb which expresses a diminutive or petty form of the action, as scribble .
Diminutively <Xpage=414>
Di*min"u*tive*ly , adv. In a diminutive manner.
Diminutiveness <Xpage=414>
Di*min"u*tive*ness , n. The quality of being diminutive; smallness; littleness; minuteness.
Dimish <Xpage=414>
Dim"ish (?) , a. See Dimmish .
Dimission <Xpage=414>
Di*mis"sion (?) , n. [L. dimissio . See Dimit , and cf. Dismission .] Leave to depart; a dismissing. [Obs.]
Barrow.
Dimissory <Xpage=414>
Dim"is*so*ry (?; 277) , a. [L. dimissorius : cf. F. dimissoire . See Dimit .] Sending away; dismissing to another jurisdiction; granting leave to depart.
Letters dimissory (Eccl.) , letters given by a bishop dismissing a person who is removing into another diocese, and recommending him for reception there.
Hook.
Dimit <Xpage=414>
Di*mit" (?) , v. t. [L. dimittere to send away, le<?/ go; di- = dis- + mittere to send. See Dismiss .] To dismiss, let go, or release. [Obs.]
Dimity <Xpage=414>
Dim"i*ty (?) , n. [Prob. fr. Gr. <?/ of double thread, dimity; <?/ = <?/ twice + <?/ a thread of the warp; prob. through D. diemet , of F. dimite , d\'82mitte . Cf. Samite .] A cotton fabric employed for hangings and furniture coverings, and formerly used for women's under-garments. It is of many patterns, both plain and twilled, and occasionally is printed in colors.
Dimly <Xpage=414>
Dim"ly , adv. In a dim or obscure manner; not brightly or clearly; with imperfect sight.
Dimmish, Dimmy <Xpage=414>
Dim"mish (?) , Dim"my (?) , a. Somewhat dim; as, dimmish eyes . " Dimmy clouds."
Sir P. Sidney.
Dimness <Xpage=414>
Dim"ness , n. [AS. dimness .]
1. The state or quality <?/ being dim; lack of brightness, clearness, or distinctness; dullness; obscurity.
2. Dullness, or want of clearness, of vision or of intellectual perception.
Dr. H. More.
Syn. -- Darkness; obscurity; gloom. See Darkness .
Dimorph <Xpage=414>
Di"morph` (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ two-formed; <?/ twice (see Di- ) + <?/ form.] (Crystallog.) Either one of the two forms of a dimorphous substance; as, calcite and aragonite are dimorphs .
Dimorphic <Xpage=414>
Di*mor"phic (?) , a. Having the property of dimorphism; dimorphous.
Dimorphism <Xpage=414>
Di*mor"phism (?) , n. [Cf. F. dimorphisme .]
1. (Biol.) Difference of form between members of the same species, as when a plant has two kinds of flowers, both hermaphrodite (as in the partridge berry), or when there are two forms of one or both sexes of the same species of butterfly.
Dimorphism is the condition of the appearance of the same species under two dissimilar forms. Darwin.
2. (Crystallog.) Crystallization in two independent forms of the same chemical compound, as of calcium carbonate as calcite and aragonite.
Dimorphous <Xpage=414>
Di*mor"phous (?) , a. [Cf. F. dimorphe .]
1. (Biol.) Characterized by dimorphism; occurring under two distinct forms, not dependent on sex; dimorphic.
2. (Crystallog.) Crystallizing under two forms fundamentally different, while having the same chemical composition.
Dimple <Xpage=414>
Dim"ple (?) , n. [Prob. a nasalized dim. of dip . See Dip , and cf. Dimble .]
1. A slight natural depression or indentation on the surface of some part of the body, esp. on the cheek or chin.
Milton.
The dimple of her chin. Prior.
2. A slight indentation on any surface.
The garden pool's dark surface . . . Breaks into dimples small and bright. Wordsworth.
Dimple <Xpage=414>
Dim"ple , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Dimpled (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Dimpling (?) .] To form dimples; to sink into depressions or little inequalities.
And smiling eddies dimpled on the main. Dryden.
Dimple <Xpage=414>
Dim"ple , v. t. To mark with dimples or dimplelike depressions.
Shak.
Dimplement <Xpage=414>
Dim"ple*ment (?) , n. The state of being dimpled, or marked with gentle depressions. [R.]
The ground's most gentle dimplement . Mrs. Browning.
Dimply <Xpage=414>
Dim"ply (?) , a. Full of dimples, or small depressions; dimpled; as, the dimply pool .
Thomson.
Dim-sighted <Xpage=414>
Dim"-sight`ed (?) , a. Having dim sight; lacking perception. -- Dim"-sight`ed*ness , n.
Dimya, Dimyaria <Xpage=414>
Dim"y*a (?) , Dim`y*a"ri*a (<?/) , n. ; pl . [NL., fr. Gr. <?/ = <?/ + <?/ to close.] (Zo\'94l.) An order of lamellibranchiate mollusks having an anterior and posterior adductor muscle, as the common clam. See Bivalve .
Dimyarian <Xpage=414>
Dim`y*a"ri*an (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Like or pertaining to the Dimya. -- n. One of the Dimya.
Dimyary <Xpage=414>
Dim"y*a*ry (?) , a. & n. (Zo\'94l.) Same as Dimyarian .
Din <Xpage=414>
Din (?) , n. [AS. dyne , dyn ; akin to Icel. dynr , and to AS. dynian to resound, Icel. dynja to pour down like hail or rain; cf. Skr. dhuni roaring, a torrent, dhvan to sound. Cf. Dun to ask payment.] Loud, confused, harsh noise; a loud, continuous, rattling or clanging sound; clamor; roar.
Think you a little din can daunt mine ears? Shak.
He knew the battle's din afar. Sir W. Scott.
The dust and din and steam of town. Tennyson.
Din <Xpage=414>
Din , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dinned (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Dinning .] [AS. dynian . See Din , n. ]
1. To strike with confused or clanging sound; to stun with loud and continued noise; to harass with clamor; as, to din the ears with cries .
2. To utter with a din; to repeat noisily; to ding.
This hath been often dinned in my ears. Swift.
To din into , to fix in the mind of another by frequent and noisy repetitions.
Sir W. Scott.
Din <Xpage=414>
Din , v. i. To sound with a din; a ding.
The gay viol dinning in the dale. A. Seward.
Dinaphthyl <Xpage=414>
Di*naph"thyl (?) , n. [Pref. di- + naphthyl ene.] (Chem.) A colorless, crystalline hydrocarbon, C20H14 , obtained from naphthylene, and consisting of a doubled naphthylene radical.
Dinar <Xpage=414>
Di"nar (?) , n. [Ar. d<?/n\'ber , from Gr. <?/, fr. L. denarius . See Denier .]
1. A petty money of accounts of Persia.
2. An ancient gold coin of the East.
Dinarchy <Xpage=414>
Di"nar*chy (?) , n. See Diarchy .
Dine <Xpage=414>
Dine (?) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Dined (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Dining .] [F. d\'8cner , OF. disner , LL. disnare , contr. fr. an assumed disjunare ; dis- + an assumed junare (OF. juner ) to fast, for L. jejunare , fr. jejunus fasting. See Jejune , and cf. Dinner , D<?/jeuner .] To eat the principal regular meal of the day; to take dinner.
Now can I break my fast, dine , sup, and sleep. Shak.
To dine with Duke Humphrey , to go without dinner; -- a phrase common in Elizabethan literature, said to be from the practice of the poor gentry, who beguiled the dinner hour by a promenade near the tomb of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, in Old Saint Paul's.
Dine <Xpage=414>
Dine , v. t.
1. To give a dinner to; to furnish with the chief meal; to feed; as, to dine a hundred men .
A table massive enough to have dined Johnnie Armstrong and his merry men. Sir W. Scott.
2. To dine upon; to have to eat. [Obs.] "What will ye dine ."
Chaucer.
Diner <Xpage=414>
Din"er (?) , n. One who dines.
Diner-out <Xpage=414>
Din"er-out` (?) , n. One who often takes his dinner away from home, or in company.
A brilliant diner-out , though but a curate. Byron.
Dinetical <Xpage=414>
Di*net"ic*al (?) , a. [Gr. <?/ to whirl round.] Revolving on an axis. [Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Ding <Xpage=414>
Ding (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dinged (?) , Dang ( Obs .), or Dung ( Obs .); p. pr. & vb. n. Dinging .] [OE. dingen , dengen ; akin to AS. dencgan to knock, Icel. dengja to beat, hammer, Sw. d\'84nga , G. dengeln .]
1. To dash; to throw violently. [Obs.]
To ding the book a coit's distance from him. Milton.
2. To cause to sound or ring.
To ding (anything) in one's ears , to impress one by noisy repetition, as if by hammering.
Ding <Xpage=414>
Ding , v. i.
1. To strike; to thump; to pound. [Obs.]
Diken, or delven, or dingen upon sheaves. Piers Plowman.
2. To sound, as a bell; to ring; to clang.
The fretful tinkling of the convent bell evermore dinging among the mountain echoes. W. Irving.
3. To talk with vehemence, importunity, or reiteration; to bluster. [Low]
Ding <Xpage=414>
Ding , n. A thump or stroke, especially of a bell.
Dingdong <Xpage=414>
Ding"dong` (?) , n. [See Ding .]
1. The sound of, or as of, repeated strokes on a metallic body, as a bell; a repeated and monotonous sound.
2. (Horol.) An attachment to a clock by which the quarter hours are struck upon bells of different tones.
Dingey, Dingy, Dinghy <Xpage=414>
Din"gey (?) , Din"gy , Din"ghy , n. [Bengalee dingi .]
1. A kind of boat used in the East Indies. [Written also dinghey .]
Malcom.
2. A ship's smallest boat.
Dingily <Xpage=414>
Din"gi*ly (?) , adv. In a dingy manner.
Dinginess <Xpage=414>
Din"gi*ness , n. Quality of being dingy; a dusky hue.
Dingle <Xpage=414>
Din"gle (?) , n. [Of uncertain origin: cf. AS. ding prison; or perh. akin to dimble .] A narrow dale; a small dell; a small, secluded, and embowered valley.
Dingle-dangle <Xpage=414>
Din"gle-dan`gle (?) , adv. In a dangling manner.
Dingo <Xpage=414>